Charlotte's Memorial Stadium and Grady Cole Center "would be demolished" to make way for a $150M, 20,000-seat stadium as part of Charlotte's bid to land an MLS expansion club, according to a front-page piece by Harrison & Peralta of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Mecklenburg County commissioners "met in closed session Wednesday night to discuss the proposal," which calls for the city of Charlotte and the county to each spend $50M. The local ownership group of SMI's Bruton and Marcus Smith would also spend $50M. Commissioners "did not vote on the plan, and several elected officials questioned whether the public should spend so much money on a new stadium." The Charlotte City Council "will likely soon discuss the issue in closed session." Charlotte is "among 10 cities that have expressed interest" in getting an MLS team. For more than a year, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, the county and the USL Charlotte Independence have "discussed a much less extensive renovation of Memorial Stadium," which was built in the '30s. However, when the Smiths announced that they were "interested in pursuing an MLS team, that idea was put on hold." Independence Managing Partner Jim McPhilliamy said that he is "not involved" in the current MLS talks. Harrison & Peralta note Mecklenburg County "would own the new stadium" under the plan. However, the ownership group would also want "control of the facility," much like the Hornets have with the Spectrum Center, a city-owned building (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/6). County Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour in an email wrote, "I would like MLS in Charlotte, but I do not want to spend $50M of taxpayer money that could go toward other needs in the community." Commissioner Pat Cotham said she needs "a lot more information" before she makes a decision on MLS. Cotham "mentioned concerns over game-day traffic and growth around the stadium" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/5).
DOWN BY THE BAY: In Tampa, Charlie Frago reports the St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday discussed whether or not to allow the USL Tampa Bay Rowdies to "upgrade Al Lang Stadium to help the team in its quest to gain entry" into MLS. Voters will have to "approve letting the Rowdies control that venue for up to 25 years, as the team is seeking." Rowdies VP & COO Lee Cohen said that Al Lang Stadium "gives St. Petersburg a big advantage over other cities because it's a unique waterfront stadium." If the council "approves an ordinance authorizing the May 2 referendum, the cost will be covered" by Rowdies Chair & CEO Bill Edwards. The measure is "scheduled to be considered by the council on Feb. 16 and March 2." If voters "approve the negotiations, any agreement would be contingent on the Rowdies getting into the MLS" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 1/6).
ALL IN: In Las Vegas, Jamie Munks noted the city is "renewing its drive" to attract an MLS franchise, as the City Council on Wednesday voted 5-2 in favor of a contract to pay N.Y.-based Inner Circle Sports "up to $80,000 to market Las Vegas to possible investors" as an MLS site. The city made an "unsuccessful bid for an MLS franchise" for the league’s '17 or '18 expansion. That bid was "paired with a controversial proposal" for a $200M, 24,000-seat stadium at Symphony Park -- and "sharply divided the council." Memories of that "fractured council were fresh" at Wednesday's meeting. Councilmember Bob Coffin said, "We lost our collegiality for a while. It grew nasty and sometimes we were ill-tempered with each other. Now it appears to me that maybe the table is set a little differently.” Inner Circle's David Abrams said that the company's role will be to "put together a 'playbook' designed to attract investors to partner with the city and attract a franchise." Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman last week said that she "favors downtown Cashman Field as a possible soccer stadium site" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/5).
